Substitute Tony Cabral scored with a far-post header to give Vasco an unlikely win at PHC Stadium yesterday and topple North Village from the ranks of the unbeaten in the Coca-Cola First Division.

It was unlikely because Village dominated a vast majority of the proceedings.

But, as Vasco goalkeeper Keenan Tucker did not have a save to make after the first half-hour, their superiority meant nothing and the home team were able to steal one.

With five minutes remaining, Ricky Mallory and scrappy Larance Durham combined down the right side with the latter evading Arthur Simons and sending in a cross to an unmarked Cabral who headed high into the net.

Cabral replaced an ineffective Andre Thompson nine minutes into the second half and, until he provided the decisive touch, he was equally a non-factor.

Village never looked the same after losing striker Ricky Hill late in the the first half to a suspected rib fracture.

Hill was the most threatening to the Vasco goal with his aerial ability, but after a Scott Morton challenge he came away holding his side.

The former Hotels stalwart got up well to head over a Kevin Jennings cross in the fifth minute and soon after combined well with Elliott Jennings. But 'keeper Tucker was equal to the task, going low to his right to take Jennings' drive.

Vasco afforded Village great respect in the early going with midfielders Elliott Jennings, Kevin Grant and Sheldon Franks given plenty of space to orchestrate.

Vasco counted on the pace of their front trio -- Irving Burgess, Mallory and Durham -- to create something out of nothing as rarely did they receive support from an overly-defensive midfield.

On one such occasion, Village 'keeper Anthony Swan did well to come off his line to tip the ball away from Durham. Tucker made his last important save for Vasco in the 26th minute as he dove to his left to pluck a goal-bound header from Hill out of the air after Grant crossed.

Village were not to know this would be their last shot on target.

And it may very well be Hill's last as the injury required hospital treatment.

Hill is one of a number of national cricket team members who have played soccer despite a directive to stick to one sport. But after losing this gamble, he may now probably remain on the sidelines.

Vasco gave a sign of their potential to steal a goal just before the half as a long throw from Mallory was headed on by Colin Lloyd, but Franks defended well.

The second half was plagued by a litany of fouls and at times threatened to get out of hand. Referee Rex Osborne gave yellow cards to Mallory, Morton and Earl Richardson of Vasco while Village's Franks was cautioned in the first half.

Kevin Jennings, who Village expect great things from this season, did not have one of his better days. And that was evident on the hour when he was put into space on the right but found no one with a cross-shot that raced through the goalmouth.

Vasco nearly took the lead in the 82nd minute when a blown offside call left Burgess on a breakaway. But the combined efforts of Swan and retreating defender Derek Bell resulted in the shot going wide.

Kevin Jennings shot well wide after getting by Earl Richardson a minute later, then Vasco struck out of the blue.

Bell represented Village's last-ditch attempt to salvage a point but the ball never settled for him and the 20-yard shot was over the top.

Vasco: K.Tucker; E.Richardson, S.Morton, K.Roberts, C.Ainscough; V.Astwood, C.Lloyd, L.Durham; A.Thompson (T.Cabral, 54 mins), R.Mallory, I.Burgess.

North Village: A.Swan; A.Simons, Ken.Jennings, D.Bell, W.Augustus; S.Franks, E.Jennings, K.Grant; T.Smith (S.Dill, 70 mins), R.Hill (S.Hewey, 35 mins), Kev.Jennings.

Referee: Rex Osborne.

Men of the match: Keenan Tucker (Vasco); Derek Bell (North Village).

GOOAALL! -- Tony Cabral is off to celebrate Vasco's winner over previously-unbeaten North Village.